Staff Development Programs for Residential Aged Care Facilities
Supporting Staff
In addition to individual therapy for residents (see Referral options) Liz Angel Consultancy also offers staff development programs designed to maximise staff potential and facilitate excellence in person centred care.
Benefits of improved motivation and performance that prioritises
excellence in person centred care include:
- Provides managers of Staff Development Programs with the confidence that they meet accreditation standards.
- Maximises the potential of all individuals across the organization so that all staff receive a high level of personal satisfaction and professional recognition.
Staff development programs are purpose designed to meet the needs of individuals in person centred care facilities. Some popular sessions provided by Liz Angel Consultancy include:
- Understanding Person-Centered Care
- Understanding Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults
- Finding and Using Individual Strengths
- Teamwork (including communication tips and conflict resolution)
For more information dowload our Maximising Potential brochure
For an obligation free, confidential discussion, or to make an appointment
please call Liz on: 0414 498 390 or liz@lizangel.com.au
Person Centered Care
Person centered care is a philosophy of care centered on the importance of relationship with and respect for the individual, and which empowers an individual to make choices and to live meaningfully.
The core Principles of Person centred care are:
Relationship
Relationships are the individual interactions people experience with one another. The following, written by an elder, expresses the value of relationships. ‘When I am with someone with whom I have a relationship, I know that I am living. Surrounded by people who are strangers, funneled into daily routines that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable, my life is unknown to others. I’m not sure I am alive. It’s as though I have fallen out of life...Relationships are not only the heart of long-term care, they are the heart of life’ (Williams, 2003).
Dignity and respect
Respect means holding someone in regard and giving them your attention. Mutual respect honors and recognizes the unique interests, preferences, talents and life experiences of each individual. In person centered care this understanding underpins all behaviors and interactions..
Autonomy and choice
Person centered care aims to be resident focused; promote independence and autonomy; and provide choice and control. It takes into account residents' needs and views and involves them as equal partners in their care.
Independence
Person centered care is built on the philosophy that services provided should optimize resident’s wellbeing and independence by building on individual strengths and abilities. Independence is about recognizing the inherent risks in life while promoting a feeling of value and safety.
Supporting Residents
Plays for Older People (POP)
POP is based on the principles of drama therapy. Drama therapy groups are run with up to 8 active participants and are particularly suited to individuals who are socially isolated and/or have low self-esteem, or lack confidence and/or the social skills to communicate with others. By facilitating more meaningfully relationships, participation in drama therapy can lower rates of depression, anxiety and behaviour problems commonly associated with loneliness and social isolation in RACF’s.
Drama groups are run weekly over 6 months for one hour duration and usually culminates in a ‘performance day’ for family and friends. This is a fun activity which puts ability and potential centre stage.
Requirements for successful drama groups: willing participants; a space free of distractions for one hour per week which can accommodate 8-10 chairs and a small space to move around.
POP plays have been extremely successful. One facility where Liz has facilitated two POP drama groups was awarded Positive Living in Aged Care Highly Commended Award in 2011. Liz has also presented at several aged care conferences between 2012 and 2016. Liz will be presenting a poster on the success of POP at the 2016 International Dementia Conference “Grand Designs: Are We There Yet?” June 16-17th 2016 in Sydney – Visit www.dementiaconference.com for more information
Download a copy of Liz Angels POP Poster
Download a copy of Liz Angels Hansel and Gretel Journal Article
To find out how Liz Angel can facilitate a POP drama group in your facility, contact us on:
0414 498 390 or liz@lizangel.com.au